Eastern Terminal - Invitation to comment on site selection proce
Release Date: 21 May 2008
Western Power is inviting interested community members to comment on the site selection process for the proposed Eastern Terminal switchyard.
The site selection process paper has been finalised and Western Power is seeking comment on how it proposes to choose a preferred site for the switchyard.
A copy of the site selection process paper is now available.
Western Power's Major Projects Coordinator, Mr Ian Buchanan said that this is the first step in ultimately finding a site for the proposed switchyard.
"We recognise that there has been significant unease in the community about this project and we want to reassure people that we plan to take this one step at a time, making sure everyone has the opportunity to have their concerns heard.
"This project is in Western Power's plans so that we can improve power reliability and cater for the increased demand for power in the Perth metropolitan area.
"To do that, we are proposing to install a new terminal switchyard somewhere in the Kalamunda, Gosnells and/or Mundaring area. This process will help us identify a suitable site.
"The proposal is to construct a new terminal switchyard on a 20 hectare area of land and develop only the 4 hectares required for a switchyard.
"Current electricity forecasts indicate that it is extremely unlikely that the switchyard would expand over the 20 hectares and be developed into a substation. Approval for major industrial development in areas to the east of the hills area would need to occur for the switchyard to be developed into a substation.
"Based on current State and Local Government planning, there is no foreseeable need to develop the site beyond the 4 hectares required for a switchyard.
"Western Power is looking for an area of approx 20 hectares to ensure that the switchyard can be adequately screened and there is sufficient land to accommodate expansion of the site in the unlikely event future major development in the hills area triggered the need for a terminal substation," Mr Buchanan said.
Western Power has engaged an independent consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) to assist in undertaking a site selection process, analysing environmental, social, technical and economic constraints in the study area chosen for the proposed site.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
